Field Trip of Foliage

My sister, Angie (nicknamed Abe in our family...G often calls her Abey) and I took Graham to the Denver Botanic Gardens after I received some free passes. Neither of us had ever been there before, and we were so glad that we had the opportunity to go. The gardens are absolutely beautiful, and Graham really loved running around and looking at the different plants and flowers.

Me, Graham, and Angie

Love G's face...he's looking at a bird flying over



The Gardens currently has a Japanese influenced exhibit being shown.  Here is Angie by one of the bamboo sculptures



G checking out the flowers

Pretty yellow flowers...these were everywhere in the Gardens

These are called Lamb's Ears.  They are incredibly soft.

G checking out one of the water features

Another water feature

Another bamboo sculpture

This was beautiful with the mist rolling over.  Garden workers were also manicuring the area.

G taking a closer look

Beautiful view

Hibiscus flower

Another neat water feature

And again with the water feature

Very cool and unusual path, although it was a little bumpy for the stroller

Orchids

Close-up of a plant in the tropical enclosure

Checking out the tropical frogs with the help of Auntie Abe

The kid's garden

Running across the bridge in the kid's garden

Putting his feet in the water in the kid's garden

Thomas & Friends

We were lucky enough to be able to take Graham to A Day With Thomas at the Colorado Railroad Museum.  We had a seriously GREAT time!  A photo recap of our day:

The Pretekin Family with Thomas

Grandma and Graham

Papa, Michael, and Graham checking out one of the trains

G's first tattoo

Awesome electric train setup

Thomas pulling Annie and Clarabel

Tent setup for playing with all sorts of trains

Thomas coming 'round the bend!

The petting zoo

Napping after a fun and exciting day

ABC's & 123's

I always try to catch Graham doing his "tricks" on video, but as many parents know, once that camera rolls out, they just stop and stare at you.  Luckily I was able to get a little piece of him showing off his smarts today.  We've been practicing our ABC's, and while G doesn't have the song down perfectly yet, he is able to identify some letters.  He's also been able to count to 10 (and sometimes a little higher) for a while now.  He didn't really do much for the video, but he started too!

It's Baaaaaack

Just when you thought the cracking up was over, we're back for video 4 of Graham cracking up!



See here, here, and here if you missed these three the first time around.

From Big Boy Bed to BIIIIIG Boy Bed

Graham has also moved out of his pack'n'play.  This is him at my parent's house in Evergreen!

22 Months!

Um, this kid is 22 MONTHS OLD.  In two short months we will have a 2 year old!  They ain't lying when they say time flies!

My Auntie Is Awesome!

Graham loves his only aunt!

Boys Will Be Boys

No Need For Supernanny!

Graham moved to his toddler bed!  I was a little nervous at first about him getting up constantly during the night and me having to bring him back to bed (his 2-3 hour daily naps and 12 hour stretches overnight have definitely spoiled me...he has always been such a great sleeper that I never became the dreaded "zombie mom").

The first day he got up twice during his nap, right at the beginning.  This was his very first time sleeping out of his crib, so I think he was just checking it all out.  That night he got up 5 times in the first hour and a half.  After that he slept through the night.

The second day he did not get up at all during naptime. At night he got up twice, once within the first hour and later in the night the second time.

The third day he did not get up at all during naptime. He did not get up at all during the night. It can't be this easy right? I mean, I've seen "Supernanny" where those kids get out of bed 137 times...

The fourth day was the exact same as day three.

**UPDATE** It has been nearly a month since Graham moved into his toddler bed. You know what? It was that easy! He never gets out of bed at naptime or during the night. When he wakes up, he simply sits in bed and WAITS for me or Michael to come into the room and get him. Clearly he picks up on new routines quickly...next up, attempting potty training?

Mommy Time

(LOVE the face from eating a sour berry)

Daddy Time

Sprayground Remix

We visited Centennial Center Park again!  The park was significantly less crowded due to many schools having started up again (total plus of being a stay-at-home mama is being able to bring your kid great places when everyone else is at work or in school)!  Graham, of course, had a great time.  The second we walked into the park, he could barely contain his excitement.

Just a little trickle of water!

All kinds of room to run around!

Graham loves running through the water

Driving Mommy around

Thanks for the hand, Cookie!



Even Bumpa is getting in on the fun



All that playng makes for a hungry boy

Why do we have to leave??!!??

Thanks to Michael's dad, Roger (or Bumpa to Graham) for always having his camera ready.  We wouldn't have half the great pictures we do without him!